Ciara Sotto, at 43, regrets not beginning her skin-care routine earlier.
"I regret not taking care of my skin during my 30s," she said in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on October 25, 2023.
The interview took place at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, during the launch of Elizabeth Arden's White Tea Skin Solutions skin-care line.
Ciara said she was just "too boyish or too tamad" at that time to even think of skin care.
"Super tamad talaga ako before. I never used to have, like, moisturizer or... If my sister gives me, I'll try it out. But I don't do it every night."
Ciara also mentioned, "Magta-try ako, like kunyari, magbibigay yung ibang brands, ita-try ko yun. Pero pag wala ako nakitang masyadong effect, I stop it na."
Ciara's inconsistent skin-care routine also meant that she didn't use sunblock for an extended period.
It took her some time to realize that the sun's harmful rays are the skin's most formidable foe.
"I'm under the sun with my son who's playing football. So all day, biggest regret ko before, hindi ako nagsu-sunblock agad, like kahit sa face.
"Dapat nagsa-sunblock ako. And they said, even if you're gonna stay indoors, dapat mag-sunblock ka.
"Na-start ko lang yung indoor sunblock, siguro mga 40 na ako."
Read: Dahilan kung bakit HAPPY at ENJOY ngayon si Ciara Sotto
CIARA SOTTO ON INSECURITIES
It was only during the pandemic that Ciara finally found the time to adopt a more dedicated skin care approach.
Her main skin-care influence is her mom, Helen Gamboa.
Ciara said, "Mom ko ever since talagang very maalaga sa skin niya, kaya medyo mabagal yung aging [ng] mom ko."
But Ciara's main motivation to maintain a skin-care routine was the realization that she was developing wrinkles on her skin. It was her sisters Lala and Romina Sotto who provided this wake-up call.
"Yung sisters ko na, na parang, 'Girl, kailangan mo nang mag-apply ng mga moisturizer, kasi hindi mo maiiwasan magkaka-lines ka,' ganyan.
"And I'm like, 'Oo nga, no!' Kasi hindi naman ako nakatitig sa face ko.
"Hindi naman ako yung type na check-check ko yung face ko.
"Pero, you know, I have sisters and friends who tell me the truth, which is good.
"So doon na ako na nagising na parang, 'Hala, hala!'"
Ciara admits that she did feel insecure at one point as she observed her wrinkles becoming more noticeable.
"Yes, of course. Kasi inisip ko siya, kasi bakit yung ibang 43, hindi masyadong walang lines."
She continued, "So now ko lang na-realize, nung nakikita ko na nagkakaroon ako ng mga wrinkles, hindi natin maiwasan.
"Siyempre maghahanap ka ng anti-aging skincare line."
CIARA SOTTO'S SKIN-CARE ROUTINE
For women who, like Ciara, prefer uncomplicated routines, her advice is to maintain a simple skin-care regimen, ideally by using products from a single skin-care line to reduce complexity.
This is how she discovered her own routine using Elizabeth Arden's White Tea Skin Solutions.
"I tried it and I'm like, 'Oh my goodness, ang ganda nung effect.'
"Tapos parang the next day, when you wake up, hindi siya oily.
"Parang glowing ka lang. So sabi ko, wait lang, I think I should use this every night na."
She added, "I like the scent. I like how it's gentle, but it's effective.
"And I like the fact that it's sustainably sourced, and it's almost predominantly plant-based, all-natural."
Ciara initiates her routine by removing her makeup, if she wore any that day.
Following that, she cleanses her face with the Gentle Purifying Cleanser, a product that effectively dissolves makeup, impurities, and excess sebum.
This is available for PHP1,900, on Lazada and Shopee.
Next in her routine is the Moisture Infusing Bi-Phase Toning Lotion, which gently nourishes and cleanses, visibly improving fatigued skin.
The 200ml bottle is available for PHP2,550, on Lazada and Shopee.
The third step in her skin-care routine is the Fortifying Bi-Phase Oil Serum, which works to firm and restore the skin's clarity, while also brightening and evening out the skin tone.
This serum is priced at PHP4,760 on Lazada and Shopee.
In the fourth step, Ciara uses the Replenishing Micro-Gel Cream for smoother and brighter skin.
This gel cream is priced at PHP4,550 on Lazada and Shopee.
The final step involves the Brightening Eye Gel, which contains over 2,000 micro drops of white tea oil to provide instant hydration and smooth the skin.
This eye gel comes with a price tag of PHP3,480 on Lazada and Shopee.
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